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XBox 360 w/ HDMI - Audio question.

C

cpacini

Senior member
I've noticed on HDMI equipped 360's that there is a HDMI port on the back of the console that the cable plugs directly into instead of using the A/V dongle. I'm currently using the VGA adapter going to my TV and an optical TOSLINK cable sending audio to my receiver, but if I upgrade to HDMI how would I get the audio to the receiver? Would I have to use HDMI for video and use an A/V adapter for the audio, or would that not work?
 
You can break the plastic off the existing A/V cable (component/composite) so that it'll fit with the HDMI cable plugged in. There are instructions on the tubes somewhere.
 
Microsoft sells a first-party HDMI cable that includes the optical/analog-sound -only dongle. I would imagine that some of these have wound up on eBay. Otherwise, like mugs has noted, you can modify an existing output cable with some care.
 
Originally posted by: cpacini
Thanks for the replies, here is a youtube vid in case anyone else needs to modify the adapter:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FptCB_3DOz4

BTW, is this just a design flaw of the a/v adapters or did Microsoft design them this way on purpose to get people to buy their first party hdmi cable?
Click to expand...

Probably a little from column A and a little from column B. 😛 The A/V cable was designed before the HDMI 360 came out of course; I can believe that they didn't have a choice about the spacing of the two cables on the motherboard, but I don't know why they wouldn't re-design the A/V cable to fit since it's clearly possible to do so. And you know how Microsoft likes to milk you with the accessories.
 
Yup, had to crack the plastic open on mine. Works like a charm, although its fairly ugly...but whos looking at the back of your system anyway.

On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
 
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
 
Originally posted by: Baked
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
Click to expand...

Uhh yeah of course it's a big jump from composite to HDMI, but not from component to HDMI
 
Originally posted by: UpgradeFailure
Originally posted by: Baked
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
Click to expand...

Uhh yeah of course it's a big jump from composite to HDMI, but not from component to HDMI
Click to expand...

Assuming a TV processes all inputs equally, there should be basically zero practical difference between a component/VGA/HDMI signal.
 
Originally posted by: Baked
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
Click to expand...

Might want to check those reading glasses before calling others blind. 😛
 
Originally posted by: RaiderJ
Originally posted by: UpgradeFailure
Originally posted by: Baked
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
Click to expand...

Uhh yeah of course it's a big jump from composite to HDMI, but not from component to HDMI
Click to expand...

Assuming a TV processes all inputs equally, there should be basically zero practical difference between a component/VGA/HDMI signal.
Click to expand...

Well, the color resolution should be a wee bit better on VGA/HDMI than component, but VGA -> HDMI is simply pointless.
 
Originally posted by: BD2003
Originally posted by: Baked
Damn, I was waiting for that ginger kid to stab himself in the hand w/ the screw driver and run around the room screaming and crying.

Originally posted by: BD2003
On the other hand, HDMI isnt much of an upgrade from VGA (or component), I hope youre not expecting a visual improvement or anything.
Click to expand...

You're blind. I switched from composite video cable to HDMI on my PS3 yesterday, and the difference is huge.
Click to expand...

Might want to check those reading glasses before calling others blind. 😛
Click to expand...

DAYUUUUMMM!!!!
 
I run the HDMI cable from my Xbox to my TV, then have one of those universal A/V things with the Optical audio out, running from my xbox to my receiver. HDMI + 5.1 ftw.
 
Cant you just use an HDMI cable? Or do you need the other cable as well? I am swapping my 360 with my friends 360 as his has HDMI and he never uses it cuz he does not have HDTV. I was just going to use an HDMI cable from 360 to HDTV. Will this work or do I need the MS cable crap?
 
Originally posted by: Oyeve
Cant you just use an HDMI cable? Or do you need the other cable as well? I am swapping my 360 with my friends 360 as his has HDMI and he never uses it cuz he does not have HDTV. I was just going to use an HDMI cable from 360 to HDTV. Will this work or do I need the MS cable crap?
Click to expand...

The problem is that many people don't have a receiver that is capable of processing audio from HDMI. Those people would need to use an optical audio cable to get surround sound.
 
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: Oyeve
Cant you just use an HDMI cable? Or do you need the other cable as well? I am swapping my 360 with my friends 360 as his has HDMI and he never uses it cuz he does not have HDTV. I was just going to use an HDMI cable from 360 to HDTV. Will this work or do I need the MS cable crap?
Click to expand...

The problem is that many people don't have a receiver that is capable of processing audio from HDMI. Those people would need to use an optical audio cable to get surround sound.
Click to expand...

Yep, if you're planing on using the tv's built in speakers the HDMI cable by itself will be fine.
 
Originally posted by: cpacini
Originally posted by: mugs
Originally posted by: Oyeve
Cant you just use an HDMI cable? Or do you need the other cable as well? I am swapping my 360 with my friends 360 as his has HDMI and he never uses it cuz he does not have HDTV. I was just going to use an HDMI cable from 360 to HDTV. Will this work or do I need the MS cable crap?
Click to expand...

The problem is that many people don't have a receiver that is capable of processing audio from HDMI. Those people would need to use an optical audio cable to get surround sound.
Click to expand...

Yep, if you're planing on using the tv's built in speakers the HDMI cable by itself will be fine.
Click to expand...

Ah, I see. I do plan on surround when I get the HDMI 360. Guess i'll just cut the plastic around the standard av cables to fit the HDMI as my receiver doesnt have HDMI at all. Thanks for the info Mugs and cpacini.
 
I'm amazed that you don't realize HDMI 360's include a breakout connecter you can use for optical audio if you choose to use an HDMI cable.
 
Originally posted by: shingletingle
I'm amazed that you don't realize HDMI 360's include a breakout connecter you can use for optical audio if you choose to use an HDMI cable.
Click to expand...

Unless this is recent, only the Elite came with the connector. All other HDMI-360s did not.
 
Originally posted by: shingletingle
I'm amazed that you don't realize HDMI 360's include a breakout connecter you can use for optical audio if you choose to use an HDMI cable.
Click to expand...

Mine didn't.
 
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